Global measles cases and deaths have fallen significantly over the past two decades, largely due to improved vaccination coverage, but recent trends indicate a resurgence in infections.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global measles cases dropped by 71 % between 2000 and 2024, while measles‑related deaths fell 88 %, from roughly 780,000 in 2000 to about 95,000 in 2024. Vaccination programmes during this period are estimated to have prevented nearly 59 million deaths worldwide.
Despite these gains, the WHO report notes a concerning increase in infections, with roughly 11 million measles cases recorded in 2024 — nearly 800,000 more than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The resurgence was observed in multiple regions, including Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asia.
Globally, 84 % of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine in 2024, while only 76 % received the recommended second dose, below the 95 % coverage threshold needed to maintain herd immunity. As a result, 59 countries reported large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2024, marking the highest number of outbreaks since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Health authorities emphasize that even small declines in vaccination coverage can allow measles to rebound quickly, highlighting the importance of sustaining and strengthening immunisation programmes to prevent further outbreaks.
Also Read